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State comparison · 2025

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary: California vs Iowa

Occupation

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in California earn a median of $118,880. In Iowa, $74,470. After cost-of-living, the gap is 26.6% — not 59.6%.

Nominal pay gap
+59.6%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+26.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

California

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median
$118,880
p25
$97,280
p75
$126,780
p10
$76,300
p90
$153,190
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
See full breakdown for California

Iowa

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

Median
$74,470
p25
$63,810
p75
$86,160
p10
$59,360
p90
$101,520
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
87.8
See full breakdown for Iowa

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.